THE UNEMPLOYED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 260, 3 October 1932, Page 8

THE UNEMPLOYED

OVERTURES TO THE BOARD. MR JESSEP TO MEET COMMITTEE. The weekly meeting of the Palmerston North Unemployment Committee was held to-day, when Mr J. A. Nash M.P., presided. Others present were Messrs Mansford, Collis, Christensen, Graham, Hodgeus, Poynter, Batchelar, and Cadwallader (secretary). Eight applications under No. 4 A scheme were considered, two being held over for enquiries. Mr Mansford considered that there was need for supervision in following up the applications previously granted to ascertain whether the- conditions were being strictly observed. Mr Cadwaller mentioned that farmers in the Auckland district had violated the regulations. It was the opinion of the meeting that, if possible, an officer should be appointed for the purpose. Mr Cadwallader stated that he would make enquiries into the matter. The chairman reported that, in company with the secretary, he had waited on the Unemployment Board during the week. Unfortunately, they had not got very far, with the exception that the number of days allocated last week, as had Tieen sought by the committee, had been agreed to. Mr Christensen enquired whether it meant that the men would get as much as before.

The chairman : It is hoped that the B class men will get three days and the C class men four days. However, it would seem that the man without children who was getting 30s will have to come back to 255. The board stated that all the allocations are to be reconsidered. They said definitely that tho allocations cannot be increased. The allowance in the cities ran out on September 30, and it was the opinion that Palmerston North had been well treated.

Continuing, Mr Nash” mentioned that he had telegraphed the deputychairman, Mr J. S. * Jessep, who was in Auckland, enquiring whether he could meet the committee, Mr Jessep had replied that it was impossible for him to meet the committee this week, but asked that he be communicated with again. “Wo can then have it out with him,” added Mr Nash. Mr Jessep had mentioned that he did not wish to meet deputations, but only the committee, concluded Mr Nash. Mr Mansford asked whether the alolcation was sufficient to permit of single men receiving two days at 7s 6d, married men without children 255, married men with one or two children 37s fid and married men with more than two children £2, per week. The chairman replied that he thought the rates would be 7s fid, 255, 30s and 37s fid respectively. Mr Cadwallader explained the system he intended adopting whereby ho hoped for greater equality on the various jobs. At the conclusion, Mr Christensen remarked that the secretary would have the whole-hearted support of the committee.

Mr Hodgeus pointed out that, nevertheless, there had been an apparent differentiation in the treatment of the men in the cities and the country. Even if the winter allowance to the city men had been discontinued they were still working four weeks, whereas the men outside the centres were only working for three weeks. During a discussion on the question of single men presenting medical certificates in support of applications for exemption from going to camp, Mr Cadwallader advanced the suggestion that a hospital medical officer be appointed for such a purpose.—The suggestion was formally adopted. Mr Christensen enquired whether the men participating in Wednesday’s football match would be given the opportunity to make up the lost day, Mr Cadwallader stating that it would be arranged.